GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD
Consider first, that after seeking in the three first petitions the greater glory of the name of God, the propagation of his kingdom, and the execution of his will both in heaven and in earth, we are taught in the fourth petition to pray for all necessaries for ourselves, both for soul and body, under the name of our ‘daily bread,’ which we here beg for this short day of our mortal life, in order to support us in our pilgrimage through the wilderness of this world, till we come to our true country and to the happy day of everlasting light and life in the heavenly kingdom of our Father. As to the things of this world, we pray for them with more indifference, as for things of lesser consequence; and which, if we seek first the kingdom of God and his justice, our Father has promised to furnish us with, viz., as for as he shall see expedient for us; and we pray for them for to-day, being forbidden to be solicitous for them for to-morrow. But what we are here more earnestly to pray for is the bread which is to support the spiritual life of our souls, viz., the grace of God, the word of God, and the holy sacraments. And this we beg both for ourselves and for all the world from the great pastor of souls.
Consider 2ndly, that the holy fathers expound this petition as meaning in particular the ‘bread of life,’ which we receive in the blessed Eucharist for the food, nourishment, strength, and life of our souls. This bread is the sacred body and blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God, who calls himself the ‘living bread which came down from heaven,’ John vi. 51, and assures us that he 'that eateth of this bread shall live for ever,’ and that 'the bread which he will give is his flesh for the life of the world,’ v. 52. This is here styled 'our daily bread,' because given us for this our day of life, and given to be our daily support, by our partaking of it either really or spiritually every day. O my soul, ever aspire after this heavenly bread, the source of all grace and true life. Admire and adore the incomprehensible ways by which thy God seeks to communicate himself to thee; and see thou correspond with his goodness and love, by turning daily to him and giving thy whole self to him.
Consider 3rdly, that the best way to answer the principal intent of this petition is by making a spiritual communion (as often as we repeat these words, ‘give us this day our daily bread’) by a lively faith and hope in Jesus Christ, the true bread of life; by aspiring after him, by love and desire, and by inviting him to come and take full possession of our souls, and to unite them to himself for time and eternity. Happy those souls that frequently in the day communicate in this manner!
Conclude to pray for thy 'daily bread’ in such a manner as to have ever principally in view this 'bread of life,’ and to labour to partake of it daily at least by a spiritual communion.
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